Hey guys, what kind of swb should I get if i were to build up a nice offroad beast, I will still want it road registered so its gota be something realistic, I would also be interested in the engine and driveline options availble for the vehicles yas suggest, I would prolly use old wrecks etc as donors, I think I would prefer a diesel simply for its water and mud going abilities, in terms of keeping it dry, but I would also love the all out power of a V8. Im fairly new to this so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Photos, links to build ups etc would be kool.
Cheers
Azz
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Best SWB vehilce for a go anywhere kind of beast
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Or even a Rocky 
... Slap some Pootrol axles under it and bobs ur uncle 
Diesel engines are nice in them too.. esp the turbo's. Lots of go for a small rig.
Hard to go past a Mav tho.... So much stuff around for them
... Slap some Pootrol axles under it and bobs ur uncle Diesel engines are nice in them too.. esp the turbo's. Lots of go for a small rig.Hard to go past a Mav tho.... So much stuff around for them
[quote="RockyF70 - Coming out of the closet"]i'd be rushing out and buying an IFS rocky[/quote]
I definatly dont want to spend a fortune, I will have to be saving my pennies as I go and I will be doing a lot of shopping around for bargins, was thinking something from around the mid 80's to mid 90's for the rolling chassis. Im open to suggestions really.
Creature comforts, bah, they are not needed. Patrol or cruiser was what I had in mind, but as I said, im willing to look at any suggestions.
Cheers
Azz
Creature comforts, bah, they are not needed. Patrol or cruiser was what I had in mind, but as I said, im willing to look at any suggestions.
Cheers
Azz
God Of Emo
Posts: 7350
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2003 7:04 pm
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2003 7:04 pm
Location: Newy, home of the ZOOK (Rockin the 'diff)
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If you are after pure offroad, heaps of aftermarket support, wanna spend only average amount of money, and still have bulk capability look at a sierra LWB/UTE, similar to TIm (redzook). He hasnt spent a bomb on his rig, and its is awesome offroad. It isnt practicle or anything for a DD, but for pure offroad work its unbeatable compared to money spent.
Layto....
Layto....
[quote="v840"]Just between me and you, I actually really dig the Megatwon, but if anyone asks, I'm going to shitcan it as much as possible! :D[/quote]
Nothing against zuks, but just the way you ask the question makes me think that's not quite what you're after.
It would be hard to go past a patrol, MQ for the most budget-friendly option, GQ if you have a little bit more to spend.
If you keep an eye on ebay you'll see MQs with 350 chevs in them reasonably often, can sometimes pick one up under $2k... add new tyres and a cig diff lock, and you have about as cheap an off-road weapon as you could get.
It would be hard to go past a patrol, MQ for the most budget-friendly option, GQ if you have a little bit more to spend.
If you keep an eye on ebay you'll see MQs with 350 chevs in them reasonably often, can sometimes pick one up under $2k... add new tyres and a cig diff lock, and you have about as cheap an off-road weapon as you could get.
This is not legal advice.
MQ is leaf and GQ is coil. You will be in front if you went straight to the GQ. They flex a lot better standard, and you can get it to flex better a lot cheaper and easier than a leaf sprung MQ.
I am a cruiser man, but what you have described I think you would be better off going the GQ, although I reckon I could get my twin locked midi cruiser anywhere you could get a GQ. It just doesnt do it in as good a style.
I am a cruiser man, but what you have described I think you would be better off going the GQ, although I reckon I could get my twin locked midi cruiser anywhere you could get a GQ. It just doesnt do it in as good a style.
I do agree with this mostly, but just for another angle, if you get an early MQ then (a) it's cheaper, and (b) you have the option of legally fitting an older V8 into it, since substitute engines basically need to be newer than the vehicle they are going into. Not necessarily a huge issue but significant for $$$ purposes.midi73 wrote:MQ is leaf and GQ is coil. You will be in front if you went straight to the GQ. They flex a lot better standard, and you can get it to flex better a lot cheaper and easier than a leaf sprung MQ.
Do GQs flex better than MQs at the front?
This is not legal advice.
I think it would be best if you went with the GQ over the MQ, the little extra you pay for the cost of the car you will save in the suspension mods. The MQ would be a great option if you didnt want to have a great deal of flex, to get good flex out of a MQ you need to do a spring over conversion which doesnt make it a great daily driver. So i would be going a GQ.
again, is it gunna be just weekend warrior or you gunna be doing long trips as well?
diesel swb patrols will take ya a bit longer to find. look in my sig line for a petrol/gas one that'll be perfect for ya
range rovers have a comfier ride, more in cab gimmicks and a factory V8, very similar wheelbase to the patrol, the startout price is much cheaper. but will cost similar to a patrol by the time you strengthen the driveline to take 35/37's both cars will fit 35's with a 2" susp ad 2" body, look at a few and decide what you enjoy driving more/like parked in your drivway when u bust stuff.
Simon
diesel swb patrols will take ya a bit longer to find. look in my sig line for a petrol/gas one that'll be perfect for ya
range rovers have a comfier ride, more in cab gimmicks and a factory V8, very similar wheelbase to the patrol, the startout price is much cheaper. but will cost similar to a patrol by the time you strengthen the driveline to take 35/37's both cars will fit 35's with a 2" susp ad 2" body, look at a few and decide what you enjoy driving more/like parked in your drivway when u bust stuff.
Simon
QIKAZZ wrote:its only going to be a weekender, what range rover model are you refering to? I will check out them as well. What about driveline, is the rangie just as stong?
Cheers
Azz
Range Rover strong driveline... You will break things on 32" tyres let alone anything bigger. THe cost of fixing IMHO far outways the benefit...Just get a SWB GQ and be done with it- petrol/diesel you decide both are coming down in price. 50mm suspension + 50mm body will see 35's fitted and give good onroad/offroad manners, without too many driveline vibration dramas. Get some strengthened/longer lower rear trailing arms + front locker and you are away...
A SWB gq is always a good base to start with for something more serious.
[quote="MSCHIF"]SPUA its like shaving a barbie dolls head, amusing but pointless.[/quote]
you say go anywhere? what do meann by that? Do you want a vehicle that will capable as a tourer ie long distance touring all round the country, or a mildly modifed vehicle suitable for touring and some mild to medium 4wheeling or a dedicated 4wd suitable for doing very hard offroad stuff.
After looking at that you may want to look at yourself and your abilities. There is nothing more dangerous than a someone with an incredibly capapble vehicle and no idea how to drive it. you can end up biting off more than you can chew and either end up severly damaging your vehicle or yourself. In most cases it is better to start with a mildy modded vehicle and start larning its and your capabilities and build from there. Modifiy what you need to not what you may think you need too.
Get out there and have fun and buildup to the extreme stuff i reckon.
having said all of that I reckon the GQ is a great option but don't limit yourself to the SWB as they are older, only offered for awhile early in the GQ life and will be harder to find. A LWB offers alot of advantages over the SWb with comfort and wheelbase as the most obvious
After looking at that you may want to look at yourself and your abilities. There is nothing more dangerous than a someone with an incredibly capapble vehicle and no idea how to drive it. you can end up biting off more than you can chew and either end up severly damaging your vehicle or yourself. In most cases it is better to start with a mildy modded vehicle and start larning its and your capabilities and build from there. Modifiy what you need to not what you may think you need too.
Get out there and have fun and buildup to the extreme stuff i reckon.
having said all of that I reckon the GQ is a great option but don't limit yourself to the SWB as they are older, only offered for awhile early in the GQ life and will be harder to find. A LWB offers alot of advantages over the SWb with comfort and wheelbase as the most obvious
Ransom note = demand + collage
I just seem to like the abilities of the SWB for some reason, I like the smaller size, less chance of bottoming out in the center trying to clear short steep dips and mounds, easier to manouver, easier to winch, etc etc
Im happy to hear reasons the LWB is better for offroad. By the way, I want it for dedicated hard offroad stuff, just maybe the occasioanal onroad to get to my local wheeling places. No more then 45min onroad to most places I go.
Perhaps I might later get into some comp work, not sure yet.
Im open to suggestions as I have mentioned, I already have a 60 series cruiser with front and rear lockers & 33's for me to mess around in, and this build up process it not going to happen overnight, I do expect a 12 to 18 month build up time.
Cheers
Azz
Im happy to hear reasons the LWB is better for offroad. By the way, I want it for dedicated hard offroad stuff, just maybe the occasioanal onroad to get to my local wheeling places. No more then 45min onroad to most places I go.
Perhaps I might later get into some comp work, not sure yet.
Im open to suggestions as I have mentioned, I already have a 60 series cruiser with front and rear lockers & 33's for me to mess around in, and this build up process it not going to happen overnight, I do expect a 12 to 18 month build up time.
Cheers
Azz
Do you need the capacity to carry more than 1 passenger.
Utes are a common choice for most of the harder stuff - less panels to damage.
I'm a rover man and you can get a disco or rangie for a decent price.
RR - look to spend 3000 - 5000 for a 3.5 ltr v8. The early 2 door models are easier/cheaper to get 35's under but are a bit old now so will probably require some maintenance.
Disco series 1 from 94 - 96 with 3.9 v8 - 5000 - 9000 also a diesel option available.
You will need to spend another couple of grand on axles etc for 35's.
GQ shorty ( I'm guessing around 5 - 8K) and will be strong enough to run the 35's on standard running gear. Petrol 6 or diesel option available.
Petrol engines in both will require a second mortgage to fuel.
Suzuki's are a good truck that will get more places than ppl think.
Utes are a common choice for most of the harder stuff - less panels to damage.
I'm a rover man and you can get a disco or rangie for a decent price.
RR - look to spend 3000 - 5000 for a 3.5 ltr v8. The early 2 door models are easier/cheaper to get 35's under but are a bit old now so will probably require some maintenance.
Disco series 1 from 94 - 96 with 3.9 v8 - 5000 - 9000 also a diesel option available.
You will need to spend another couple of grand on axles etc for 35's.
GQ shorty ( I'm guessing around 5 - 8K) and will be strong enough to run the 35's on standard running gear. Petrol 6 or diesel option available.
Petrol engines in both will require a second mortgage to fuel.
Suzuki's are a good truck that will get more places than ppl think.
Warn - Dont leave home without it
Depending on how tall you are i think a suzuki is the best bush rig! Got mine with f&r lockers, Bullbar, Winch, 30" tyres, Small lift, Better seats for $3500! Gave it a bit more lift, Made storage drawes for the back, Snorkel, Motor 
, Ute style soft top and soon rocksliders and it owes me about $4500! Keeps up with cars with 33's havn't tryed 35's yet! Shop around and youl find a good one
, Ute style soft top and soon rocksliders and it owes me about $4500! Keeps up with cars with 33's havn't tryed 35's yet! Shop around and youl find a good oneBuilt swb sierra, building a lwb sierra ute and have a dmax for family camping
spend the dough and get the gq
but on the other hand mq doesnt cost alot to make it flex just need a lil bit of bootie fab and enginuity anyone who tell u different doesnt kno what they r talking about
the lil 4bys like zooks n rockys are cool but u need bigger diffs and a bigger motor or atleast crawler gears if you wanna keep up with the big boys off road
as for roadworthyness all of them probably will not pass once modded but the gq is probably the easiest to make pass rwc
but on the other hand mq doesnt cost alot to make it flex just need a lil bit of bootie fab and enginuity anyone who tell u different doesnt kno what they r talking about
the lil 4bys like zooks n rockys are cool but u need bigger diffs and a bigger motor or atleast crawler gears if you wanna keep up with the big boys off road
as for roadworthyness all of them probably will not pass once modded but the gq is probably the easiest to make pass rwc
Neutral:midi73 wrote:MQ is leaf and GQ is coil. You will be in front if you went straight to the GQ. They flex a lot better standard, and you can get it to flex better a lot cheaper and easier than a leaf sprung MQ.
As a GQ SWB owner I have to say this is only half right. The rear on a GQ will way outflex the MQ, but at the front end the MQ should outflex the GQ. The GQ front is very restrictive unless a lot of work is done on it.
Pro GQ stuff:
From a ride perspective the GQ wins, but a shorty GQ is still not a nice soft ride. No SWB ever is. If comfort and long drives are your thing you want a LWB GQ.
Much newer than an MQ - less likely for stuff to be r00ted or break.
More aftermarket stuff available these days.
5 speed standard
Aircon and PS standard
Pro MQ Bits:
MQ's with v8 conversions are pretty easy to find, and relatively cheap. A V8 GQ will cost you 5x as much. I'll still swap my GQ SWB for one
MQ's diffs are offset at both ends allowing a little extra clearance.
GQ and MQ are on a par for pretty much most things - they're pretty much same vehicle dimensions despite the full redesign.
MQ's look cool with the back off.
Ive owned a rangie (86) with rear diff lock and a LWB Patrol (92) with 35s and a sprung over 40 series cruiser with plenty of off roading done in all cars.
I loved em all for all different reasons.
For rugged, beat it back into shape with a hammer, wheeling the 40 was unbeatable but its lack of comfort on longer trips meant I (read: the girlfriend) had to let it go. They are cheap to buy, easy to modify, and there is a wealth of information on them. When I can afford a car for weekends only I will probably be getting another 40.
The rangie was exceptionally well behaved on road (full time 4wd), especially in the wet, and the rear airlocker made up for its lack of ground clearance off road. I was amazed the amount of places I could take it and the economy from the dual fuel V8 wasnt actually too bad. Again alot of info on the net on modding them but if you want to run 35s+ you either need to swap in axles from a cruiser/patrol or upgrade to maxi drive axles which arent too cheap either but this is somewnat offset by the cheap pruchase price.
The Patrol has been excellent in all terrains and hasnt let me down at all. Unfortunately with full time work and no need for all the space I decided to let it go as I only ever have my GF and dog on board and simply dont need the room. I also noticed that as my appetite for harder stuff to drive has grown the size of the car is becoming more and more of a negative for me. I could see lots of panel damage in my future and after coming very, very close to rolling it in a tight spot I thought I should sell it and by something smaller and cheaper which I wont care too much if I do roll it or ding a panel........
.........Thats why Im now in the market for a Zook
I loved em all for all different reasons.
For rugged, beat it back into shape with a hammer, wheeling the 40 was unbeatable but its lack of comfort on longer trips meant I (read: the girlfriend) had to let it go. They are cheap to buy, easy to modify, and there is a wealth of information on them. When I can afford a car for weekends only I will probably be getting another 40.
The rangie was exceptionally well behaved on road (full time 4wd), especially in the wet, and the rear airlocker made up for its lack of ground clearance off road. I was amazed the amount of places I could take it and the economy from the dual fuel V8 wasnt actually too bad. Again alot of info on the net on modding them but if you want to run 35s+ you either need to swap in axles from a cruiser/patrol or upgrade to maxi drive axles which arent too cheap either but this is somewnat offset by the cheap pruchase price.
The Patrol has been excellent in all terrains and hasnt let me down at all. Unfortunately with full time work and no need for all the space I decided to let it go as I only ever have my GF and dog on board and simply dont need the room. I also noticed that as my appetite for harder stuff to drive has grown the size of the car is becoming more and more of a negative for me. I could see lots of panel damage in my future and after coming very, very close to rolling it in a tight spot I thought I should sell it and by something smaller and cheaper which I wont care too much if I do roll it or ding a panel........
.........Thats why Im now in the market for a Zook
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